The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-09-30
JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY.
GOV HILL SHOWING THE EVILS OF So
CALLED PATERNAL GOVERNMENT.

GOV. HILL SHOWING THE EVILS OF so
CALLED PATERNAL GOVERNMENT.
The Limo Between Government Control snd
Private Undertakings Cannot be Ad-
vsnccd without Endanaering Liberty.
BATH, Sept. 2s.-This is great day at the
Bath Fair. Gov. Hill arrived on the morning
train and was entertained at the residence OF
the Hon. Frank Campbell. His address was
heard by thousands. and the Governor per-
sonally was enthusiastically greeted. He re-
iterated his views as previously expressed in
regard to the taxation OF personal property.
Ho then said: There has lately been de-
mand in some quarters that the Government
should assume control OF tho banks, teleRraphs.
and railroads OF tho country. This doctrine Is
not entirely new. 1t having been preached many
times before In our history, but has usually
met with little favor. Every few years the
scheme Is renewed in ono form or another. dis
cussed for while. and then abandoned. The
persstency with which 1t Is pressed at the
present time ia my excuse for referring to 1t at
ALL 1t may be safely counted Ms general
rule that the Government should not under
tako any business that oan as we'll be conduct
ed by private enterprise. There are some
things which, for obvious reasons. the Govern
ment may properly manage. as the postal SER
vice, and municipalities may with propriety
furnish water or gas to their constituents: but
tho line must be drawn somewhere between
Governmental control and private undertake
ings. and 1t would seem that the functions OF
the Government should not be further extend
ed. II tho Government may properly manage
all our banks, telegraphs, and railroads upon
the claim that thereby tho interests OF the pub
lie will DO better subserved, may it not with
the same propriety insist upon supplying peo-
pie with wholesome meats. and cheap and pure
food OF all kinds2 Where is the limo to be
drawn when we have once entered on the ex-
pertinent OF having tho Government engaged
in general business which moro properly be-
longs to the domain OF individual effort
Private enterprise should not be encroached
upon by Government Interference whenever
1t can reasonably be avoided. II there are evils
incident to the management Of our banking.
telegraph. and railroad corporations. Us there
undoubtedly are, they can be cured or allevi-
ated by judcious legislation. There are cor
porations created by the State. and they can
be controlled by the laws OF the State. 1t is
sufficient that the State has power to regulate
and restrict their powers and increase their
liabilities, and 1t is not necessary that they
should be destroyed and their functions as
sumed by the Government in order to afford
needed relief from unjust exactions II they
have become monopoies to any extent, as is
sometimes charged. the power is vested
PEOPLE Gsvns 6s rsmedy IN
hands, it is not necessary to Jump out Of the
from nS these hes =, grievances. 1 am opposed to ali
legislation which squints toward what is popu-
lew that Il Is The our peculiar
form Of government to encroach upon individ..
uai enterprise us little IS possible consste1 u
one thing. but regulation is another. Tho lat;
tor means and embraces ample security and
danger to the people or the creation cf. add.
tional hordes Of ofiiceholders. while the former
Is rspete with Eskf Of every Kind and re-
mense as to imperili the security Of our free in
situations, and would open up new avenues for
1T is the belief Of many right thinking. citi-
zens that the am has epough patron n;
Federal officials in, the political, affairs Of
States, and how much greater would I'D Likely be
vast VAST interests now eonsroiIea Sy private citi;
Government employees be created. with all tho
temptations incident to such vast patronage.
Is
liz sy i1 are se du s0sa ssoa pe
certain tenure incident to political changes Of
administration, and no civil service law. no
as they arc " now served Political postISns
at
who tell us that the millennium will have come
selves or are deceiving others. The good re-
ss s Is eo T to hs
s 'fs sdS IL v az q &
%hen he sad whe he should
support the Government; the Government
tsrseS satsd asays Be-
Thomas Jefferson whose notions OF govern
mrs By always poser s Ss hs sS s a
Of OF the etison in SCHEMES Of Doubtful psopretS
y as and an to Sne
ment Of ali farms, Of. our mines and NOR
chants stores; Ne: my friends. the way to have
tributing to every one exactly the functions he
is competent to fiji. Let the national Govern
ton and lis foreign and Federal relations; the
State Government with the civil rights laws
Germs tho Stats generally: the counties with
the local concerns Of the counties, and each
a 5a e and W tbs T.
from the great national one down through ali
istration Of every mans farm by himself, by
placing under every one what his own eye may
superintend. that all will be dono for the best
What has DESTROYED the liberty and rights
OF man In every Government which has ever
existed under the SUM- The generalizing and
concentrating Of all cares and powers into one
body, no matter whether OF tho autocrat Of
Russia or Franco or the ,aristocrats o.,
prefer to stand with Jefferson and the others
who framed our institutions; in opposition to
multiplying the duties OF the Government.
rather than with those modern teachers who
try to impress upon the people that they are
wards Of the State, instead OF intelligent and
independent mon whose fortunes are In their
own hands and dependent upon their own on
terprise. thrift, and ambition. Ours is n free
Government, with no hereditary features per-
tanning to it. The poorest and humblest, boy
social connections nor family name is SUM-
Gent alone to confer Its honors upon a citizen
The people rule. and official places should be
regarded as official trusts, to be conferred be-
cause OF merit rather than because OF any other
This afternoon the Governor paid an official
visit to the Soldiers Home